Bee SeasonScott McGehee and David Siegel

Film synopses on the back of DVD cases are most often a helpful marketing tool to motivate a potential viewer into buying or renting that film. Unfortunately, the age-old phrase "never judge a film by its DVD cover strongly applies to Bee Season. Appearing to the naïve eye as a moving story about a smart kid who excels in spelling bees and becomes the obsessive project of a demanding father, this film takes that thought and scrambles it with pseudo-intellectual bullshit and inane, unworldly special effects that feel as if Hollywood is taking an ill-advised stab at the avant-garde. Based on Myra Goldbergs novel, Bee Season feels like screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal (Jake and Maggies mom) chose to adapt only random chunks of the book, as crucial gaps pop up everywhere, leaving way too many questions unanswered. Eliza Naumann (Flora Cross) is a sixth grade genius who one day enters a spelling bee and wins. Her victory, along with her ability to visualise the letters in her head, attracts the attention of her domineering father (Richard Gere), a college professor trained in religion and spirituality. Meanwhile, son Aaron (Max Minghella) and wife/mother Miriam (Juliet Binoche) enter the fold as problematic characters for Geres Saul, whose irrational ways are tearing the family apart. The exploration of the family dynamic is certainly a different one, but largely because were left in the dark most of the time. Unlike Eliza, Bee Season cannot spell out what its trying to say. For example, there is a past inner tension between Saul and Aaron that is referenced but never explained. Also, how has Miriam been leading a double life all these years without anyone caring to notice? And whats the story behind those bizarre dreams shes having? The directors commentary should shed much needed light but the way McGehee and Siegel utter their monotonous words the pay off is hardly worth the bother. And a "making of called the "Essence of Bee Season does even less. Plus: deleted scenes, featurette. (Fox)